Hotel refuses Delta Voucher?
Feb 22, 2011, 4:43 am
#16
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: FRA
Programs: DL GM
Posts: 23
When my flights were cancelled 2 weeks ago (twice) because of weather, I wasn't offered a hotel voucher. Is this because I was still at my point of origin? Do they only offer vouchers if you are in route already?
Feb 22, 2011, 5:08 am
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAX/BOS/HKG/AMS/SFO...hmm, I need a life.
Programs: United1K, AA ExPlAAt, DL MM/Gold, Hilton Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 13,316
They do not officially offer hotels for weather. As a DM or PM they will usually try and hook you up but no guarantees and for sure not at your origin.
Feb 22, 2011, 5:18 am
#18
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: DL DM; DL AMEX Reserve; HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,984
I am sorry but that is absolute bullsh!t. Delta should know how many rooms they are allocated at each hotel, so they only print out that maximum number of vouchers. If they start printing vouchers like the US government prints money, they are following a treacherously steep slope. I assume their computer programming to keep track of this is as bad or worse than their online award booking engine!
Sorry about the OP's troubles. I hope you slept somewhere comfortable and on DL's dime (even if only after reimbursement).
Feb 22, 2011, 8:25 am
#20
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: MKE
Programs: DL-MM-Diamond HH-Diamond
Posts: 3,218
It's a free hotel room voucher. And the extra bonus is that due to the weather in Detroit, they have no idea if/whether any cabs will be avilable to go elsewhere.
It seems very strange to me, this happens a lot to me (the dangers of travel to Northern Michigan) and they often say "sorry that hotel is full". So they obviously have some way to monitor room availability - how can they give a voucher to a Diamond (or anyone for that matter), have you spend an hour getting to that hotel and then find out they won't take the voucher??
Keep in mind, they HAVE rooms. They are letting 'cash' customers check in. Just not those with vouchers.
It seems very strange to me, this happens a lot to me (the dangers of travel to Northern Michigan) and they often say "sorry that hotel is full". So they obviously have some way to monitor room availability - how can they give a voucher to a Diamond (or anyone for that matter), have you spend an hour getting to that hotel and then find out they won't take the voucher??
Keep in mind, they HAVE rooms. They are letting 'cash' customers check in. Just not those with vouchers.
Feb 22, 2011, 8:40 am
#21
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVPG, DL GM, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,266
I am sorry but that is absolute bullsh!t. Delta should know how many rooms they are allocated at each hotel, so they only print out that maximum number of vouchers. If they start printing vouchers like the US government prints money, they are following a treacherously steep slope. I assume their computer programming to keep track of this is as bad or worse than their online award booking engine!
I would be on the phone with DL and asking them about it.
I am always hesitant to "assume" DL (or any company for that matter) would reimburse me for something after the fact if I don't have it in writing. Most often Delta and other airlines offer credits or miles. It is relatively uncommon for them to cut someone a check (though they did it for me on two occasions the past few years, but not for a hotel). Perhaps DL would say, "We would have only paid $59 for that room if you used the voucher, so we are only going to reimburse you $59." Who knows. Nothing is in writing except a worthless voucher.
Good luck.
I would be on the phone with DL and asking them about it.
I am always hesitant to "assume" DL (or any company for that matter) would reimburse me for something after the fact if I don't have it in writing. Most often Delta and other airlines offer credits or miles. It is relatively uncommon for them to cut someone a check (though they did it for me on two occasions the past few years, but not for a hotel). Perhaps DL would say, "We would have only paid $59 for that room if you used the voucher, so we are only going to reimburse you $59." Who knows. Nothing is in writing except a worthless voucher.
Good luck.
As a side note to this, many of the delays and cancellations in the midwest were due to "Weather" and I have a feeling that the DMs and PMs received free hotel vouchers because DL tries to treat its top customers well. In no way was DL obligated to give any compensation since Weather was the main reason. People that received hotel vouchers should be very happy because I know a number of people that hve had to pay out of pocket in these types of situations.
Feb 22, 2011, 9:15 am
#22
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: SJC/SFO/OAK
Programs: DL PM, SW, Hilton, , UAL PM, AA Gold-skeptic
Posts: 1,632
I am sorry but that is absolute bullsh!t. Delta should know how many rooms they are allocated at each hotel, so they only print out that maximum number of vouchers. If they start printing vouchers like the US government prints money, they are following a treacherously steep slope. I assume their computer programming to keep track of this is as bad or worse than their online award booking engine!
I would be on the phone with DL and asking them about it.
I am always hesitant to "assume" DL (or any company for that matter) would reimburse me for something after the fact if I don't have it in writing. Most often Delta and other airlines offer credits or miles. It is relatively uncommon for them to cut someone a check (though they did it for me on two occasions the past few years, but not for a hotel). Perhaps DL would say, "We would have only paid $59 for that room if you used the voucher, so we are only going to reimburse you $59." Who knows. Nothing is in writing except a worthless voucher.
Good luck.
I would be on the phone with DL and asking them about it.
I am always hesitant to "assume" DL (or any company for that matter) would reimburse me for something after the fact if I don't have it in writing. Most often Delta and other airlines offer credits or miles. It is relatively uncommon for them to cut someone a check (though they did it for me on two occasions the past few years, but not for a hotel). Perhaps DL would say, "We would have only paid $59 for that room if you used the voucher, so we are only going to reimburse you $59." Who knows. Nothing is in writing except a worthless voucher.
Good luck.
Secondly, hotel inventory changes by the minute. There are other customers besides what Delta sends them.
Third, this is the hotel's issue, not Delta's, as they made that desicion. However, if there are complaints for such issues, the hotel is at risk of being pulled off the list, and as you can imagine, that would be painful in the long term for the hotel.
Lastly, usually the way it works is that the hotel is called by the airline with a guarantee of rooms; for example, they may get a call looking for 50 rooms. They should absolutely honor that number. However, if it is exceeded, then the hotel is not obligated, but the burden of proof is on the hotel at that point to show that they have been overbooked by the airline.
Feb 22, 2011, 9:24 am
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
I am sorry but that is absolute bullsh!t. Delta should know how many rooms they are allocated at each hotel, so they only print out that maximum number of vouchers. If they start printing vouchers like the US government prints money, they are following a treacherously steep slope. I assume their computer programming to keep track of this is as bad or worse than their online award booking engine!
I would be on the phone with DL and asking them about it.
I am always hesitant to "assume" DL (or any company for that matter) would reimburse me for something after the fact if I don't have it in writing. Most often Delta and other airlines offer credits or miles. It is relatively uncommon for them to cut someone a check (though they did it for me on two occasions the past few years, but not for a hotel). Perhaps DL would say, "We would have only paid $59 for that room if you used the voucher, so we are only going to reimburse you $59." Who knows. Nothing is in writing except a worthless voucher.
Good luck.
I would be on the phone with DL and asking them about it.
I am always hesitant to "assume" DL (or any company for that matter) would reimburse me for something after the fact if I don't have it in writing. Most often Delta and other airlines offer credits or miles. It is relatively uncommon for them to cut someone a check (though they did it for me on two occasions the past few years, but not for a hotel). Perhaps DL would say, "We would have only paid $59 for that room if you used the voucher, so we are only going to reimburse you $59." Who knows. Nothing is in writing except a worthless voucher.
Good luck.
eCerts, since they are only applicable to ticket purchases, are merely a discount off of the ticket that you will be required to purchase to be able to obtain the value of the eCert.
Feb 22, 2011, 9:31 am
#24
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: DCA
Programs: DL DM, AA EXP, various hotel
Posts: 2,227
It took nearly a month, but I finally received a check from DL for the full cost of a hotel stay in ATL. You are correct though, they will try to go the eCert route if you let then. I explained that AMEX does not take eCerts in payment for credit card bills and insisted on a check.
eCerts, since they are only applicable to ticket purchases, are merely a discount off of the ticket that you will be required to purchase to be able to obtain the value of the eCert.
eCerts, since they are only applicable to ticket purchases, are merely a discount off of the ticket that you will be required to purchase to be able to obtain the value of the eCert.
Feb 22, 2011, 9:44 am
#25
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVPG, DL GM, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,266
First off, mind your manners. This is a G rated room.
Secondly, hotel inventory changes by the minute. There are other customers besides what Delta sends them.
Third, this is the hotel's issue, not Delta's, as they made that desicion. However, if there are complaints for such issues, the hotel is at risk of being pulled off the list, and as you can imagine, that would be painful in the long term for the hotel.
Lastly, usually the way it works is that the hotel is called by the airline with a guarantee of rooms; for example, they may get a call looking for 50 rooms. They should absolutely honor that number. However, if it is exceeded, then the hotel is not obligated, but the burden of proof is on the hotel at that point to show that they have been overbooked by the airline.
Secondly, hotel inventory changes by the minute. There are other customers besides what Delta sends them.
Third, this is the hotel's issue, not Delta's, as they made that desicion. However, if there are complaints for such issues, the hotel is at risk of being pulled off the list, and as you can imagine, that would be painful in the long term for the hotel.
Lastly, usually the way it works is that the hotel is called by the airline with a guarantee of rooms; for example, they may get a call looking for 50 rooms. They should absolutely honor that number. However, if it is exceeded, then the hotel is not obligated, but the burden of proof is on the hotel at that point to show that they have been overbooked by the airline.
Feb 22, 2011, 10:11 am
#26
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: SJC/SFO/OAK
Programs: DL PM, SW, Hilton, , UAL PM, AA Gold-skeptic
Posts: 1,632
Thanks for backing me here. I am pretty sure that I know how DL handles these situations since I have been in several of them and have ties to DL. Hotels are really not a DL issue since they are not part of DL and certainly if enough people complain they can be removed from the list...which obviously will not benefit them.
Feb 22, 2011, 10:16 am
#27
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVPG, DL GM, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,266
Sort of.....I was meaning to say on my last point that if the airline exceeded the amount of rooms they guaranteed (i,.e. kept handing out vouchers over and above the amount they arranged with the hotel), the hotel doesn't have to take the voucher. But, that should have been clearly explained to the passenger, so the passenger could go back to the airline and deal with it.
Feb 22, 2011, 10:18 am
#28
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ICT
Programs: AA EXP, UA Plat, DL G, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,330
First off, mind your manners. This is a G rated room.
Secondly, hotel inventory changes by the minute. There are other customers besides what Delta sends them.
Third, this is the hotel's issue, not Delta's, as they made that desicion. However, if there are complaints for such issues, the hotel is at risk of being pulled off the list, and as you can imagine, that would be painful in the long term for the hotel.
Lastly, usually the way it works is that the hotel is called by the airline with a guarantee of rooms; for example, they may get a call looking for 50 rooms. They should absolutely honor that number. However, if it is exceeded, then the hotel is not obligated, but the burden of proof is on the hotel at that point to show that they have been overbooked by the airline.
Secondly, hotel inventory changes by the minute. There are other customers besides what Delta sends them.
Third, this is the hotel's issue, not Delta's, as they made that desicion. However, if there are complaints for such issues, the hotel is at risk of being pulled off the list, and as you can imagine, that would be painful in the long term for the hotel.
Lastly, usually the way it works is that the hotel is called by the airline with a guarantee of rooms; for example, they may get a call looking for 50 rooms. They should absolutely honor that number. However, if it is exceeded, then the hotel is not obligated, but the burden of proof is on the hotel at that point to show that they have been overbooked by the airline.
I agree with another poster here: I always call the hotel BEFORE I head out... in most cases (in my experience) I end up having to go to a different place, and DL has always reimbursed me (checks, not ecert)
Feb 22, 2011, 10:54 am
#29
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: lax
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat
Posts: 781
I am sorry but that is absolute bullsh!t. Delta should know how many rooms they are allocated at each hotel, so they only print out that maximum number of vouchers. If they start printing vouchers like the US government prints money, they are following a treacherously steep slope. I assume their computer programming to keep track of this is as bad or worse than their online award booking engine!
Feb 22, 2011, 11:19 am
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MN
Programs: Lots of programs, dirt on all of them!
Posts: 11,938
but delta would have no way to know how many vouchers that other airlines have issued for a particular hotel, and i'm sure we can all agree that there's no way in he!! that delta has a guaranteed block of rooms. so if a hotel accepts 50 vouchers per night, even one delta passenger voucher might get denied if the hotel is already filled with vouchers from co, ua, aa passengers, eh?
There has to be a contract between DL and the hotel in order for DL to blindly print vouchers (rate, how many rooms, etc). Something smells fishy here. Sorry. I remember being accommodated in a hotel in ORD by UA one time. The agent called the hotel to be sure they had room before they printed my voucher. Pretty simple, huh? It was a service that UA provided because they didn't want to anger their customer who might get to a hotel that won't accept a voucher. Seems pretty simple to me. But obviously, simple things are often very complicated with DL.